Toilet overflow sensor and pump apparatus

ABSTRACT

A device for preventing overflow of a toilet, the device comprising a pump, a moisture sensor and a circuit for receiving a signal from the moisture sensor and activating the pump. The pump is associated with the toilet and attached to an inlet pipe to receive liquid from the toilet bowl of the toilet. The pump is further attached to an outlet pipe for discharging liquid from the toilet bowl. The fluids removed from the toilet can be discharged into an expandable receptacle, a drain line or the discharge line in the base of the toilet. The moisture sensor senses an overflow condition in the toilet.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional application is converted from provisional U.S.application No. 60/758,090, filed Jan. 10, 2006, for the invention ofKevin J. Morris, entitled “TOILET OVERFLOW SENSOR AND PUMP APPARATUS,”and derives and claims priority from that application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to toilets, and more specifically, to a system forsensing the fill level of a toilet bowl and for pumping liquid from thetoilet bowl to prevent spillage from an overflow condition.

Most residences today have indoor plumbing, which delivers liquiddirectly to sinks, bathtubs, and toilets for use by the occupants of theresidence as needed. While indoor plumbing is a significant advance andindeed a requirement in most urban areas, there are also some drawbacksassociated with indoor plumbing. One such drawback is that toilets will,from time to time, become clogged when the waste outlet line leadingfrom the toilet bowl becomes obstructed with waste matter, toilet paper,or the like. Because conventional toilets are not equipped with anymeans for sensing and reacting to a clogged condition, those toiletswill often overflow, resulting in spillage or a flooding condition inthe lavatory area. Such spillage or flooding can cause significantproperty damage, as well as create an unsanitary condition, and is aburden to clean up.

Others in the past have proposed systems for detecting potential cloggedconditions in toilets and for preventing an overflow from occurring byinterrupting the supply of water to the toilet bowl. One such device isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,987,502 to Hartmann. The Hartmann '502patent discloses an electrical sensing probe 50 that is placed inside ofthe toilet bowl. An overflow chamber is provided which extends about theentire rim of the bowl. The probe extends into the overflow chamber, andwhen liquid flows into the chamber, the liquid bridges the gap betweenthe probe and the conductive side wall of the bowl, to initiate a signalto stop the flow of liquid to the toilet bowl.

Another such overflow prevention system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,041,557 to Ringler. The Ringler '557 patent discloses an insulatedelectrode placed in a horizontal pipe 15 that delivers liquid to atoilet bowl. So long as liquid remains in the pipe, a circuit is closedbetween the electrode 47 and ground, which disables the toilet toprevent further flushings.

Yet another device for preventing toilet overflows is disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,195,374 to Morris et al., and includes an insulatedelectrical probe 37 housed inside a liquid flushing line 18.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,258,444 to Orszullok discloses an overflow system fordetecting an overflow condition in a bathtub, and includes a capacitivesensor that is operative to detect the liquid level within the bathtuband to generate a control signal as the liquid level approaches the topof the tub. While such a device is arguably suitable for bathtubapplications, this system is not suitable for use in toilet applicationswhere the liquid level varies during the normal use of the toilet, forexample during a standard toilet flush. Placement in such closeproximity to the sidewall of a toilet will cause the capacitive sensorto detect that the liquid level has risen to the level of the sensor,thereby triggering a signal to stop the flow of liquid to the toiletbowl. Thus, if used in a toilet application, the capacitive sensor woulddetect a false positive every time the toilet is flushed.

Accordingly, it will be apparent that there continues to be a need for areliable, efficient system for detecting a clogged toilet condition andfor preventing spillage or flooding from occurring due to an actualoverflow condition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a section view of a toilet having a toilet overflow preventiondevice according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a section view of a toilet having a toilet overflow preventiondevice according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a section view of a toilet having a toilet overflow preventiondevice according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electronic circuit of the system of thepresent invention according to an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described indetail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understandingthat the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification ofthe principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broadaspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

In a first embodiment, the present invention comprises a systemincluding a sensor to detect a clogged condition of a toilet and inresponse thereto simultaneously turn off the water supply, sound analarm and begin pumping liquid from the toilet bowl.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the system 10 is mounted on a toilet bowl12 containing a quantity of liquid A. The system 10 comprises a pumphousing 14 in which is mounted a pump 15 and control circuitry foroperating the invention. Attached to the suction side of the pumphousing 14 is an inlet pipe 16. The inlet pipe 16 is attached to thetoilet boil 12 by having a U-shaped configuration that is placed overthe toilet rim 18. A retaining tab 20 extends under the rim 18 andsecures the inlet pipe 16 and pump housing 14 to the toilet 12. Theinlet pipe 16 defines an opening 22 adjacent an end 24 thereof to allowthe pump 15 to draw liquid from the toilet bowl 12.

An outlet pipe 26 exits the pump housing 14 and attaches to anexpandable receptacle or bladder 28 for retaining the liquid pumped fromthe toilet bowl 12.

A liquid sensor 30 is attached to the circuitry within the pump housing14 and mounted on an end of the inlet pipe 16. The liquid sensor 30 is acapacitive switch that senses the liquid level within the toilet bowl12. The sensor 30 may, alternatively, be a contact switch, a floatswitch, or any other such switch that is capable of sensing the liquidlevel within the toilet bowl 12.

The system 10 further comprises a water supply valve 32 that iselectrically operated to turn off the water supply when a cloggedcondition is detected.

Referring to FIG. 4, the circuitry attached to the switch preferablycomprises a holding relay circuit 34 that is electrically connected to aliquid sensing circuit 36, which notifies the holding relay circuit 34when liquid is detected against the liquid sensor 30. The holding relaycircuit 34 is further attached to a pump 15 that begins pumping when theholding relay circuit 34 supplies power to the pump 15 in response tothe liquid sensor 30. An alarm 40 is also optionally sounded to alertpeople to the clogged condition. Furthermore, the water supply valve 32is controlled by the holding relay circuit 34 to turn on and off thewater supply to the toilet. A reset switch 42 resets the holding relaycircuit 34 after the clogged condition has been removed.

The system 10 operates in the following manner. When the toilet isflushed, the toilet bowl 12 begins operating in a normal manner. If thetoilet bowl 12 becomes clogged, causing an overflow condition, theliquid sensor 30 will eventually contact liquid disposed within thetoilet bowl 12. The liquid sensing circuit 36 will notify the holdingrelay circuit 34, which will then activate the pump 15, the alarm 40 andthe water supply valve 32 to turnoff the water. The pump 15 will pumpthe liquid from the toilet bowl 12 to the receptacle 28. After theclogged condition has been removed, the reset switch 42 will beoperated, which will operate the water supply valve 32 to an openposition, returning the toilet to its normal operating condition.

In a second embodiment of the invention (FIG. 2), like referencenumerals are used to identify like elements from the first embodimentand will not be re-described. The second embodiment operates as thefirst embodiment, with the exception that the receptacle 28 is replacedby a discharge line 44 attached to the outlet line 26. The dischargeline 44 attaches directly to a sewage stack 46 upon which the toilet islocated. An alternative to the attachment directly to a sewage stack 46is attachment directly to a chimney stack or other available dischargefacility.

In a third embodiment of the invention (FIG. 3), the elements of thesystem are integrated within the toilet, and liquid discharges to thesewage stack 46 through the toilet. The moisture sensor 30 is placed onan inside lip 48 of the rim 18 of the toilet bowl 12.

The components of the present disclosure may be constructed of a varietyof materials, including but not limited to various metals, plastics,ceramics, wood, or any other suitable material that will providesufficient structural integrity for the each component to perform itsdesired function as stated herein. Each dimension of the disclosure, andthereby all of its components, may be of varying sizes. Of course, oneof ordinary skill in the art will recognize that structural members maybe added to strategic positions on or in the disclosure to allow the useof a variety of materials.

While the above description contains many specifics, these should not beconstrued as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as anexemplification of preferred embodiments thereof. Many other variationsare possible. For example, the pump housing 14 and the pump 15 may bepositioned on the floor next to the expandable receptacle or bladder 28.Of course, the pump 15 and the expandable receptacle 28 need not beplaced on the floor, but may be placed in many other locations such as,for example, astride the toilet, under the toilet tank, behind a wall,or under the floor. Further, the pump 15 and the expandable receptacle28 may be placed together in a single housing. In any event, any one ormore of the components of the device, such as the pump 15 and theexpandable receptacle 28 may be enclosed in a decorative housing. Also,the expandable receptacle 28 may be detachable or it may be disposablefor the sake of convenience and cleanliness. This may require the use ofa one-way valve or other such mechanism in association with theexpandable receptacle 28 that would be readily understood by one ofordinary skill in the art to minimize any spillage of waste materialduring removal of the expandable receptacle 28 from the device 10. Theexpandable receptacle 28 may be of a construction that is rolled up andwill unfurl upon filling with discharge from the pump 15. Of course, thereceptacle 28 need not be expandable, but may be sized to accommodatesufficient discharge from the pump 15 as necessary for an overflowcondition.

The detailed description above illustrates the disclosure by way ofexample and not by way of limitation. This description clearly enablesone skilled in the art to make and use the disclosure, and describesseveral embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses ofthe disclosure, including what I presently believe is the best mode ofcarrying out the disclosure. As various changes could be made in theabove constructions without significantly departing from the spirit ofthe invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the abovedescription or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpretedas illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Hence, the scope ofprotection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.

1. A device for preventing overflow of a toilet bowl, the devicecomprising: a pump capable of placement in association with a toilethaving a bowl, the pump being configured to remove material from thetoilet bowl; and a sensor associated with the pump, the sensor beingadapted to detect an overflow condition in the toilet bowl, the sensorfurther being adapted to activate the pump; wherein the sensor activatesthe pump to remove material from the toilet bowl when the sensor detectsan overflow condition in the toilet bowl.
 2. The device of claim 1further comprising an alarm, the alarm being associated with the sensorand adapted to sound when the sensor detects an overflow condition inthe toilet bowl.
 3. The device of claim 1 further comprising a shut-offvalve positioned along the water line that supplies water to the toilet,the shut-off valve being associated with the sensor and adapted tointerrupt the flow of water to the toilet when the sensor detects anoverflow condition in the toilet bowl.
 4. The device of claim 3 whereinthe shut-off valve is electronically controlled.
 5. The device of claim1 wherein the material being removed from the toilet bowl by the pump isdischarged directly into a sewer line.
 6. The device of claim 1 whereinat least one component of the device is manufactured integrally with thetoilet.
 7. The device of claim 6 wherein the sensor is positioned on aninside lip of a rim of the toilet bowl.
 8. The device of claim 1 furthercomprising an outlet pipe associated with the pump, the outlet pipebeing U-shaped and adapted to support the pump on the outside of thetoilet bowl when the outlet pipe is positioned to hang over the rim ofthe toilet bowl.
 9. The device of claim 8 wherein the outlet pipefurther comprises a retaining tab that extends under the rim of thetoilet bowl to maintain the outlet pipe a predetermined position. 10.The device of claim 9 further comprising an inlet pipe associated withthe pump, the inlet pipe having an inlet end, wherein the sensor ispositioned adjacent the inlet end of the inlet pipe.
 11. A device forpreventing overflow of a toilet bowl, the device comprising: a pumpadapted to placement in association with a toilet having a bowl, thepump being configured to remove material from the toilet bowl; a sensorassociated with the pump, the sensor being adapted to detect an overflowcondition in the toilet bowl, the sensor further being adapted toactivate the pump; and an expandable receptacle associated with thepump, the expandable receptacle being adapted to receive the materialremoved from the toilet bowl by the pump; wherein the sensor activatesthe pump to remove material from the toilet bowl and transfer saidmaterial into the expandable receptacle when the sensor detects anoverflow condition in the toilet bowl.
 12. The device of claim 11wherein the expandable receptacle is detachable.
 13. The device of claim12 wherein the expandable receptacle is disposable.
 14. The device ofclaim 111 further comprising a housing to contain the expandablereceptacle.
 15. The device of claim 11 wherein the pump and theexpandable receptacle are positioned in proximity to one another.
 16. Amethod for preventing overflow of a toilet bowl, the method comprising:a. associating a pump with a toilet having a bowl, the pump beingconfigured to remove material from the toilet bowl; b. associating asensor with the pump, the sensor being adapted to detect an overflowcondition in the toilet bowl, the sensor further being adapted toactivate the pump; and c. activating the pump to remove material fromthe toilet bowl when the sensor detects an overflow condition in thetoilet bowl.
 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step ofassociating an expandable receptacle with the pump, the expandablereceptacle receiving the material removed from the toilet bowl by thepump when the sensor detects an overflow condition in the toilet bowl.18. A device for preventing overflow of a toilet bowl, the devicecomprising: a pump adapted to placement in association with a toilethaving a bowl, the pump being configured to remove material from thetoilet bowl; a sensor associated with the pump, the sensor being adaptedto detect an overflow condition in the toilet bowl, the sensor furtherbeing adapted to activate the pump; an expandable receptacle associatedwith the pump, the expandable receptacle being adapted to receive thematerial removed from the toilet bowl by the pump; an alarm, the alarmbeing associated with the sensor and capable of sounding when the sensordetects an overflow condition in the toilet bowl; and a shut-off valvepositioned along the water line that supplies water to the toilet, theshut-off valve being associated with the sensor and adapted to interruptthe flow of water to the toilet when the sensor detects an overflowcondition in the toilet bowl; wherein when the sensor detects anoverflow condition in the toilet bowl, the sensor sounds the alarm,activates the shut-off valve to interrupt the flow of water to thetoilet, and activates the pump to remove material from the toilet bowland transfer said material into the expandable receptacle.